Illini's Davis will leave early for NFL

Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis announced Monday that he plans to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL draft.

John Supinie

Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis announced Monday that he plans to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL draft.

The two-time all-Big Ten selection's jump to professional football was no surprise. He is listed as a potential high first-round pick by several scouting services.

"It has been a goal of mine for a long time to have the opportunity to play in the NFL," Davis said in a news release issued by the university. "I thank coach (Ron) Zook and all my teammates at Illinois who have helped me get to this place. Because I was able to get on the field early at Illinois and because Coach Zook believed in me so much, I think I am ready for the new challenge that professional football brings.''

Davis was a three-year starter for the Illini, making an immediate impact while earning honorable mention all-Big Ten selection as a freshman. The following season, Davis had 76 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and four interceptions. He also broke up eight passes, which ranked sixth in the Big Ten. He posted 13 solo tackles against USC in the Rose Bowl, and Davis earned first-team All-Big Ten.

He was a Playboy preseason All-American this year, then finished the year second on the team with 78 tackles. He recorded two interceptions and eight passes broken up. He was a first-team all-Big Ten pick.

"I am very happy and proud for Vontae," Zook said in the release. "We knew when he arrived on campus three years ago that he was an athlete capable of making the jump from college football to the professional game. We believe that coaching is about helping athletes achieve their goals. It has definitely been a goal of Vontae's to play at the next level.

"If anyone knows Vontae, they know he is a great kid who is up for the challenge ahead of him. We thank him for all he has given to the University of Illinois football program.''